Create an Burger Restaurant Ordering System with WooCommerce and FooSales POS

Burgers are personal. Extra bacon, no onions, Swiss instead of cheddar, and—if you give your customers a choice, most will say yes to fries and a drink if you make it easy. Our integration with the WooCommerce Product Add-Ons plugin makes this level of personalization effortless for both online and in-person orders. 

How Does a Burger Restaurant Ordering System Work with FooSales and WooCommerce?

The ordering system enables customers to place orders online or in-person. Using WordPress, WooCommerce, and FooSales, it includes:

• Online Storefront: Customers browse an online menu of products, add burgers to a cart, and customize toppings (e.g., extra cheese, no onions) using the WooCommerce Product Add-Ons extension. The system tracks items and calculates costs.
• User Account or Guest Checkout: Customers create an account to save order history and preferences or use guest checkout for convenience.
• Delivery or Pickup Selection: Customers choose delivery to an address or in-store pickup.
• Payment Processing: Secure payment gateways handle credit/debit cards, digital wallets (e.g., PayPal), or cash on delivery.
• Order Confirmation: After payment, customers receive an email or notification with order details and estimated pickup/delivery time.
• Order Management: Orders are sent to the restaurant’s WooCommerce back-end, and are also loaded in FooSales for staff to process.
• Order Fulfillment: Kitchen staff prepare orders, and delivery drivers are assigned for delivery orders.
• Order Tracking: Customers can track order status (e.g., preparing, ready, or out for delivery) in real-time.
• Delivery or Pickup: Orders are delivered to the specified address or picked up at the restaurant.
• Order History and Account Management: Customers access past orders and manage account settings.
• Analytics and Reporting: The system provides data for inventory management, sales tracking, and service improvements.

Setting Up Your Burger Restaurant Ordering System

This guide uses WordPress, WooCommerce, FooSales, and the WooCommerce Product Add-Ons extension to create a cost-effective ordering system. WooCommerce, a WordPress e-commerce platform, handles online orders, while FooSales integrates in-person and online orders via a POS system. The WooCommerce Product Add-Ons extension enables customizable burger toppings. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Getting Started with WordPress and WooCommerce

If you’re new to WordPress or WooCommerce, follow this guide to set up your site in a few easy steps. Once your site is ready, proceed to the next section.

2. Create Products

Each menu item, such as a cheeseburger or fries, is added as a WooCommerce product. To organize your menu, create product categories:

• Go to Products > Categories in the WordPress dashboard
• Click Add New to create categories like “Burgers,” “Sides,” and “Drinks.”

Next, add products:

• Navigate to Products > Add New in the WooCommerce admin dashboard.
• Enter the Title (e.g., “Classic Cheeseburger”), Long Description (e.g., burger details), Product Data (e.g., price), Short Description, Product Categories, and Product Image.
• Click Publish to add the product. Repeat for all menu items.

3. Configure WooCommerce Product Add-ons

To enable customizable burger toppings, install the WooCommerce Product Add-Ons extension (compatible with the FooSales web version). This allows customers to personalize their burgers.

Create a Global Add-ons set for your burger toppings and assign it to the Burgers product category. That way, the same topping options (e.g., extra cheese, jalapeños, bacon) automatically appear on every burger product without you having to configure each one. It’s the fastest way to keep your menu consistent and update prices or choices in one place.

If a specific burger needs unique options, add a Per-product Add-ons group on that product. Use it to add or refine choices just for that item—for example, an “Exclude toppings for this burger” checkbox list to remove ingredients that come standard on that build. Global and per-product add-ons work together, so you get broad coverage across the category plus fine-grained control where you need it.

WooCommerce Product Add-Ons supports importing and exporting global add-ons via JSON files. This is particularly useful for testing or replicating add-on configurations across stores. Below are two sample JSON file that you can use to setup standard burger toppings and modify for your store:

[ { "name": "Bun", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "multiple_choice", "display": "radiobutton", "position": 0, "required": 1, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422001", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": 0, "options": [ { "label": "Standard", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Sesame", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Brioche", "price": "5", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Gluten Free", "price": "10", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Lettuce Wrap (no bun)", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Patty Size", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "multiple_choice", "display": "radiobutton", "position": 1, "required": 1, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422002", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": 0, "options": [ { "label": "Single Patty", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Double Patty", "price": "35", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Triple Patty", "price": "70", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Doneness", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "multiple_choice", "display": "radiobutton", "position": 2, "required": 1, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422003", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": 0, "options": [ { "label": "Rare", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Medium Rare", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Medium", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Medium Well", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Well Done", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Cheese", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "multiple_choice", "display": "radiobutton", "position": 3, "required": 1, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422004", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": 0, "options": [ { "label": "No Cheese", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Cheddar", "price": "10", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Swiss", "price": "12", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "American", "price": "8", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Blue Cheese", "price": "15", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Extra Meat Toppings", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "checkbox", "display": "select", "position": 4, "required": 0, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422005", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": "", "options": [ { "label": "Crispy bacon", "price": "18", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Fried egg", "price": "12", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Extra beef patty", "price": "35", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Grilled chicken strip", "price": "20", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Pulled pork", "price": "22", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Extra Veggie Toppings", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "checkbox", "display": "select", "position": 5, "required": 0, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422006", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": "", "options": [ { "label": "Lettuce", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Tomato", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Pickles", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Onions (raw)", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Caramelized onions", "price": "5", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Jalapeños / chili", "price": "5", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Mushrooms", "price": "8", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Avocado", "price": "18", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Sauces", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "checkbox", "display": "select", "position": 6, "required": 0, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422007", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": "", "options": [ { "label": "Ketchup", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Mustard", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Mayonnaise", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "BBQ sauce", "price": "5", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Garlic aioli", "price": "5", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Peri-Peri", "price": "5", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Extras", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "checkbox", "display": "select", "position": 7, "required": 0, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422008", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": "", "options": [ { "label": "Extra cheese slice", "price": "15", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Extra pickles", "price": "3", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "Extra sauce", "price": "3", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] }, { "name": "Exclusions (Remove)", "title_format": "label", "description_enable": 0, "description": "", "placeholder_enable": 0, "placeholder": "", "type": "checkbox", "display": "select", "position": 8, "required": 0, "restrictions": 0, "restrictions_type": "any_text", "adjust_price": 0, "price_type": "flat_fee", "price": "", "id": "1757422009", "min": 0, "max": 0, "default": "", "options": [ { "label": "No lettuce", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "No tomato", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "No onions", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "No pickles", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 }, { "label": "No sauce", "price": "", "image": "", "price_type": "flat_fee", "visibility": 1 } ] } ]

4. Enable Pickup and Delivery Options

Allow customers to choose pickup or delivery at checkout using WooCommerce shipping methods:

• In the WordPress dashboard, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping and click Add Shipping Zone.
• Enter a Zone Name (e.g., “Local Area”) and specify your restaurant’s region.
• Add Local Pickup as a shipping method for in-store collection.
• For delivery, select Free Shipping or Flat Rate (e.g., rename Flat Rate to “Local Delivery” and set a $5 fee).

5. Configure Custom Order Statuses

Track order progress with custom statuses using a free custom order status plugin (e.g Ni WooCommerce Custom Order Status plugin). Install it and create statuses like:

• Active: Order is being prepared in the kitchen.
• Ready: Order is ready for pickup or delivery.
• Complete: Order is fulfilled, and no further action is needed.
• Navigate to Order Status > Add New to set these up.

6. Set Up Automated Customer Emails and SMS (optional)

Next, you can send automated updates to your customers when the order status is changed, using the AutomateWoo plugin extension. This can be used to let them know the order is ready for pickup, or out for delivery.

When an order status is changed, you can configure AutomateWoo to send an email to the customer. You can set up various emails that are triggered by different order statuses and you can also apply additional rules so that emails are only sent when certain conditions are met.

Here are a few examples of the types of automation you can implement using triggers and rules:

Order being prepared email

When an order comes in, the kitchen marks it Active to show preparation has started in your ordering system. Configure AutomateWoo to email the customer on that status change, confirming the kitchen is working on their order. This sets expectations and keeps them informed of progress.

Order ready for collection email

Send this email only for Local Pickup orders. In AutomateWoo, add a Rule where Order → Shipping Method = Local Pickup so the workflow triggers only in those cases.

Order is on its way email

Thank-you email

After the order is marked Complete, send a thank-you email with a coupon code to drive repeat sales.

Timing/scheduling

In all of the above examples, you can leave the Timing setting to Run immediately unless you would like to apply a slight delay which will give you time to cancel an email being sent if the order status was changed incorrectly.

Actions

For each email you will need to setup an email or SMS text message.

• In your workflow, open Actions → Add action.
• Choose Send Email (or Send SMS if you use SMS).
• Set To to {{ customer.email }} so it goes to the buyer.
• Fill in the Subject and Email content (use merge tags as needed).
• Save the action.

If sending SMS instead, pick Send SMS and configure the recipient/message per your SMS setup.

Here is an example:

Over time, this will save countless hours and minimize the risk of error. You can also configure AutomateWoo to send SMS’s using Twilio which is another great feature of this restaurant ordering system.

6. Set Up FooSales POS

FooSales will work without any custom configuration, however you will need to configure what order statuses FooSales should load. Open FooSales → Settings → Orders and add your custom statuses under Order statuses to load so they appear in the POS apps. Set the Order submit statuses to define what status is applied at checkout, and choose which statuses count as Incomplete order statuses.

You can then also set FooSales to display order alerts based on the order status or shipping method associated with an order. Order alerts will ensure floor or kitchen staff are made aware of new orders and are able to act on them without delay thanks to your restaurant ordering system.

Using Your Burger Restaurant Ordering System

Here’s how to manage online and in-person orders with your system:

Online Orders

• When a customer orders a customized burger online, the order appears in FooSales POS with an alert.
• View the order in the POS, including details like toppings (via Product Add-Ons), order ID, status, shipping method, and total.
• Change the status to Active to start preparation, triggering the “Order Being Prepared” email/SMS.
• Kitchen staff can view details on a tablet or print an order slip using FooSales’ thermal printer support.
• Update to Ready when complete, notifying customers for pickup or delivery. For deliveries, drivers use order details for fulfillment.
• Set to Complete once the customer receives the order.

In-House Orders

• Use FooSales to create in-person orders on the FooSales POS.
• Search products (e.g., “Double Cheeseburger”) or scan barcodes, with topping customizations synced via WooCommerce Product Add-Ons.
• Add items to the cart, apply discounts or coupons, link to a customer profile, and select payment methods on the checkout screen.
• Set the order status to Processing to notify kitchen staff.
• Orders are stored in WooCommerce, and inventory updates automatically.

Viewing Orders

• Online and in-person orders appear in the WooCommerce dashboard under Orders and in FooSales’ orders section.
• Use WooCommerce reports for sales and inventory analytics.

Conclusion

Setting up an ordering system with WordPress, WooCommerce, FooSales, and the Product Add-Ons extension equips your burger restaurant to handle online and in-person orders efficiently. This system streamlines customization, tracks orders, and enhances customer satisfaction with minimal cost. Sign up for a FooSales free trial to get started and optimize your restaurant’s operations.